Kanahoma, a San Diego, California-based higher education marketing and enrollment services company, has received a strategic investment from Virent Capital, a US-based private equity firm. The transaction marks Virent Capital’s first platform investment. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Salem Investment Partners provided debt financing and co-invested in the transaction.
Founded in 2020 by Seth Odell, Kanahoma provides marketing and enrollment services to colleges and universities across the United States. Its offerings include enrollment strategy, brand development, performance marketing, creative production, website development, search engine optimization and prospective student engagement.
The company has grown to nearly 50 full-time employees and serves more than 20 higher education institutions nationwide. Kanahoma was also included in the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies in 2025 and 2026.
The investment will support Kanahoma’s plans to expand its enrollment services and strengthen its capabilities in data analytics, artificial intelligence and technology. The company aims to connect marketing activities more closely with student recruitment and enrollment strategy.
Under the partnership, Odell will continue serving as CEO and retain a significant ownership stake in Kanahoma.
Chip Paucek, co-founder and former CEO of education technology company 2U, has joined Kanahoma’s board of directors as Co-Chairman. His appointment brings additional experience in developing and scaling higher education services businesses.
Virent Capital plans to support Kanahoma through its create-and-build investment strategy, which combines organic growth initiatives with potential complementary acquisitions. The firm will also provide access to Virent Drive, its technology and digital capabilities platform, to support the company’s expansion into broader enrollment services.
Headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Virent Capital focuses on investments in founder-led businesses operating in the lower middle market. Its investment approach combines capital, operational support and technology capabilities to help portfolio companies expand their services and operations.
Garnet Partners served as Kanahoma’s exclusive financial advisor, while Lippes Mathias provided legal counsel. Troutman Pepper Locke served as legal advisor to Virent Capital.
